Pitt next stop on Florida DLs visit list
Three-star Pompano Beach (Fla.) Ely defensive lineman Brandon Daniel has seen his prep career come to a close and is now setting his sights on his last four official visits.
“We got upset in the first round of the playoffs,” he said. “So I’m looking real close at recruiting right now. I have an official visit coming up at Pittsburgh on the 28th. That will be my second one. I went to Virginia Tech earlier this season (Sept. 27).”
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Daniel (6-4, 250, 4.75), who is rated the nation’s No. 17 strongside defensive end by Rivals.com, also has visits set for N.C. State on Dec. 5 and Kansas State on Dec. 19.
“The last one will be between Florida, Miami and Oklahoma,” he said. “Miami’s recruiting me harder lately, and Oklahoma just started recruiting me. They’ve asked for some film, so I’m looking forward to hearing what they have to say when they see that.”
Asked if he had a leader at this time, Daniel said “No. It’s pretty wide-open until I see everybody on my visits.”
Regarding Virginia Tech, he said his visit went “really good. They have good facilities, and I felt comfortable there around the players and coaches. I felt like I fit in there. I’ve also got a good relationship with the defensive line coach. I think he’s a guy I would enjoy playing for.”
Pitt, meanwhile, features former Ely teammate Clint Session, a freshman linebacker.
“He’s got nothing but good things to say about them,” Daniel said. “He really likes their coaches a lot, and says their program is headed for big things in the future.”
He noted that Kansas State and N.C. State have both expressed that he could make an early impact in the defensive line rotation.
“N.C. State needs some guys up front, and Kansas State’s coach told me that they’re counting on two of their freshman coming in and playing right away. I feel good about my chances with that. I think I would hold my own against any other high school player going into college next year.”
Daniel closed his senior season with 60 tackles and 9 ½ sacks. That gave him 21 ½ sacks the final two years of his impressive prep career at Ely.
Academically, he said he maintains a 2.8 GPA and has a qualifying score on the SAT, although he plans to take the test again in hopes of scoring higher.